San Francisco Days, San Francisco Nights

We three packed up our bags and headed west last week for a week-long sojourn in California. The impetus for the trip was my dear friend Desi's wedding in Healdsburg, but we decided to extend our trip so we could see friends/family/San Francisco. Here are some of the highlights of our trip:

• meeting our newest cousin/nephew, Taylor and Lisa's adorable two-week-old son, David


• eating clam chowder out of a sourdough bread bowl with Doug and Katrina Spencer at Fisherman's Wharf, introducing Ollie to the resident sea lions


• climbing to the top of Russian Hill with Emily Williams, and getting the insider's tour of SF


• falling in love with the "gourmet ghetto" in Berkeley; we are so jealous that Katrina and Doug live in foodie heaven--a block from The Cheese Board, Chez Panisse (ground zero of the "Delicious Revolution",) and the all organic North Berkeley Farmer's Market.


• walking among the largest* trees in the world in Sequoia National Park (*to be completely accurate, the Giant Sequoias are not the tallest, nor the broadest, but apparently, they take the cake in total biomass...so there you have it.)


• reconnecting with great friends from college (Ryan's and mine)


• dancing until midnight at Desi's wedding (Ollie was back at the hotel with a babysitter)

Ryan and Geoff looking tough in Sequoia
The steps above Emily's cottage on Russian Hill. Ollie loved SF for the infinite stair climbing opportunities, he was inexhaustible!
Emily and me in front of the foggy Golden Gate Bridge
Haidee, Kara and Karina at Desi's rehearsal dinner

Auburn, Desi, me and Kirstin
Ryan and me in my (cute, I think) bridesmaid's dress
Desi looked BEEEEAUTIFUL, here with bridesmaids Auburn and Kirstin